KENEL, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced on Friday, July 11, that a Kenel, South Dakota, man has been found guilty of 2 counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor.
Jesse Norman White Bull, 45, was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024 and sentenced on July 10, 2025.
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, a mandatory minimum of 5 years up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Restitution may also be ordered.
Evidence established that White Bull sexually abused a 13-year-old girl on multiple occasions between June 2023 and July 2023 in Kenel, SD.
This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office under the Major Crimes Act, which requires certain violent crimes in Indian Country to be handled in Federal Court.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Project Safe Childhood, led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, unites federal, state, and local resources to apprehend individuals who exploit children and to rescue victims.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
A presentence investigation report was ordered and a sentencing date of September 29, 2025, was set.
White Bull was released on bond pending sentencing.
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